Welcome to the E46Fanatics forums. E46Fanatics is the premiere website for BMW 3 series owners around the world with interactive forums, a geographical enthusiast directory, photo galleries, and technical information for BMW enthusiasts.

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.

So last Thursday, my SES light came on and the car felt like a diesel when idling. I thought is was the DISA as I am at 108k.

I take it out to my local mech Thursday night and he calls me Friday morning. He said it is the DISA and it would be $300 and the car would be done on Tuesday around lunch time.

I have someone drop me off today at lunch to get it and the were still working on the car when I got there. After waiting for 45 minutes, guy comes out and tells me that they ordered the wrong part because I don't have any numbers on the back

He asks me to come back tomorrow around lunch and it should only take 45 minutes or so. I ended up calling my local dealer and got the part for $230. Took about ten minutes to put in tonight.

My question, when I called the mech back this afternoon he said I owed him a $50 diagnostic fee, should I still pay? Part of me thinks I have had a solid relationship and he usually does good, timely work. The other part of me thinks this guy jerked me around for a few days and took quite a bit of time out of my day. A simple hey we fvcked up would have made this situation much better.

Am I being the typical BMW owner here?

__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by CollinsE90

I would battle a pack of wolverines in a porta potty with my hand tied behind my back, yielding nothing but a shake weight taped to my forehead, just to hear her fart over a walkie talkie.

It was the Disa/Desa, whatever that thing is on the drivers side of the intake. I've had the SES light a few times but it's never run this rough. I have a big drive from Pittsburgh to Filthadelphia at the end of the week and wanted the car in best shape quickly. Thought this guy could do it.

I didn't sign anything, and he let me leave with the car today. I actually told him to check that valve when I left him a voicemail that I was dropping it off. His diagnostic fee was basically for pulling the codes.

I am leaning towards not paying but I don't want to have to find another indy. Is there a gentlemen-ly way of handling this? (I'm ok with with being a dick about it, I've wasted far too much time already)

__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by CollinsE90

I would battle a pack of wolverines in a porta potty with my hand tied behind my back, yielding nothing but a shake weight taped to my forehead, just to hear her fart over a walkie talkie.

If he does good work, his prices are usually reasonable and you trust him, pay him the damn money.. it's only $50! If he's none of the above and you'd rather do the work yourself or take the risk of finding a "trustworthy" mech, then tell him to piss off. I also think you should man up and tell him face to face, he wasted your time instead of coming on a forum and b!tching about it.

From my perspective, this Indy seems decent enough and if you like him, then not only should you pay the $50, but also bring him espresso and donuts!

Why? He got your car on Thursday and had an answer by Friday...okay, easy enough with scanner and stethoscope I guess, but he was right there for you and honest.

He was working to make you a happy customer, and also this...while the diagnostic might have taken a short time, he then called up his parts source, ordered part, (and parts guy could have been at fault), and then he went to order new disa and swap again. He'd spent an hour on your car...plus or minus...and you went rogue on him.

Not a horrible thing for either of you...but he got a little ticced off. Admittedly, four days without your car when he might have said to just unplug it (maybe he didn't know...or maybe that doesn't always work...IDK). Anyway, he had to have been pissed both ordering or getting the wrong part, and you are too, but a good Indy is hard to find and takes a little work to keep...but they're worth it!

Don't forget the donuts...srs (if you want to keep him!).

__________________

I'm so depressed. No one wants to come see me. :(
Facebook.com/DMAXstandup Mangofy your E46!

He was up front & said he got the wrong part. These things happen, and at least he charged you a reasonable amount for the dianostics. A shop gets busy... and you had to wait. I say pay him.. because if you're even thinking about it means you want to do the right thing.. even though he may have little recourse if you chose not to pay.